Environmental technologies

Croatia’s EU accession in July 2013 has increased attention on the environmental sector and is
providing a unique window of opportunity for Danish companies to offer specialized equipment and
services and position themselves for long-term access to the country’s environmental market. According
to some estimates, the total environmental investments aimed at reaching the average EU
standards for water, air and waste sectors will amount to at least EUR 1.5 to EUR 2.1 thousand per
capita, totalling about EUR 7.6 - 8 billion. Most of the costs will be related to water protection and
waste disposal.

Water and Wastewater Projects

As of the date of its accession to the European
Union available funds for the water
sector will be several times higher
than those available from pre-accession
funds (IPA). According to the prepared
draft financial package for Croatia, grants
available for water management in the
period 2012-2013 amount to app. EUR
330 million. Hrvatske vode (National water
management agency) has already
prepared a draft indicative list with 39
projects. Applications are submitted for
those projects through which Croatia harmonizes
its legislation with the acquis
communautaire, i.e. through which the
commitments from the Accession Treaty
related to the Urban Wastewater Treatment,
Drinking Water and Water Framework
Directives are fulfilled.

For all the projects from the indicative list Hrvatske
vode has provided 100% co-financing for
the preparation of studies and designs.
Estimates suggest that app. EUR 29 million
has been provided for preparing projects
ready for EU application. The documents
prepared in this way enable the
construction (of water utility structures) in
the total value of app. EUR 1.1 billion.
The Operation „Development of EU
Structural Funds Project Pipeline for protecting
Croatia’s water resources through
improved water supplies and integrated
wastewater management systems” in the
total value of EUR 7.4 million has been
approved.
The purpose of the Operation
is to prepare the documents required for
making new project applications related
to the establishment of modern water
supply systems and wastewater treatment
plants and sewerage systems.

The 16 new projects for which documents are prepared
and financed under this Operation will have
a chance to apply for EU co-financing for the construction
of municipal infrastructure.

Opportunities for Danish companies (consultants and suppliers of technology):

Public water supply projects

Water quality maintenance and monitoring
(e.g. removal of excessive amount of arsenic
in drinking water in some areas)

Upgrade of wastewater treatment facilities

On-going Adriatic Project (Coastal Cities
Pollution Control) – upgrading of municipal
sewage systems and wastewater treatment
facilities on the coast with expected
completion in 2020 (cost of the current 2nd
phase is EUR 125 million

Drinking water solutions for the islands
(e.g. mapping of underground water
sources, treatment of brackish water)

Floods monitoring and protection solutions

Waste Management Projects

Significant needs for investment in the waste sector have been recognized
in order for Croatia to meet the requirements of the environmental acquis
(Landfill Directive). This will include construction of waste management
centres on the county and regional levels (so far 2 have been constructed and
are in different phases of development; by the year 2020 3 regional and
10-14 county centres are planned), rehabilitation of landfills and “black spots”.
As a transition period was granted in the Accession Treaty until end of 2018
this area should be one of the top priorities.

In addition to funds provided by local counties, the Croatian Fund for Environmental Protection & Energy
Efficiency (www.fzoeu.hr), World Bank, (www.worldbank.hr) and European Bank for Reconstruction &
Development (www.ebrd.com) environmental sector projects have been significantly funded by the EU
Pre-Accession Assistance Fund IPA. In the period 2007-2013, total IPA allocations reached EUR 136
million.
In the period from July 2013 to the end of 2015, approximately EUR 150 million will be available from
EU cohesion and structural funds for environmental sector infrastructure project.

Opportunities for Danish companies (consultants and suppliers of technology):

Waste management centre Zagreb – estimated at EUR 450 million

Waste management centres on the county and regional levels – estimated at EUR 3.5 billion

Rehabilitation of old landfills – out of 299 officially existing landfills, 107 have already been rehabilitated. The approximate cost of rehabilitation of the remaining 192 is EUR 150 million

Rehabilitation of “black spots”, high risk hazardous waste locations, started in 2007. The estimated investments required for the overall rehabilitation projects is EUR 106 million

Hazardous waste centre/incinerator

The City of Zagreb has planned
a first Waste-to-Energy incineration
plant in the country which
should, along with the planned
mechanical and biological waste
treatment plants, considerably
contribute in resolving waste
management issue in Croatia.